After the death of Julius Caesar, Octavius, his grandnephew, succeeded him in his rule. Octavius, also known as Octavian, became devine Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus after he made himself the late Julius Caesar’s adoptive son. Since, after Julius Caesar’s death, it was determined that he was a god, this made Octavius the grandnephew-turned-adopted-son of a god and supposedly divine.
Octavius secured control of Rome after many years of competition, including a second Triumvirate like Julius’s before him. However, he faced a difficult conundrum. If he exploited absolute power, hatred from the Roman citizens would arise against him. But if Octavius relinquished his power and retired, another civil war would start as other power-hungry individuals fought tooth and nail for the empty throne. To prevent this, Octavius maintained a unified military command under him.
By 29 B.C., Octavius returns to Rome for his triumph, which is a celebration of a military victory. The money he looted during his exploits in Egypt, he gifted to Rome. He forgave the debts of property owners and demobilized his sixty legions down to twenty-eight. Then came a shock.
On January 27 B.C. Octavius relinquished his power to the Senate, declaring the republic was safe. The Senate, realizing Octavius was a more gracious ruler than most, turned it right around and handed the power back to Octavius! While continuing his time as a consul, Octavius agreed to administrate Spain, Gaul, and Syria. This gave him elevated military control since the majority of the remaining legions were stationed there.
Rome wished to honor Octavius by presenting him with the title “Augustus,” which means divine or revered one. Octavius considered it too high and mighty and preferred the title “princeps,” which means first citizen. Nonetheless, Augustus stuck.
In 23 B.C., there were further modifications to his power. Octavius, now Augustus, resigned his consulship and was bestowed imperium maius. With imperium, Augustus could negate any petition from any provincial governor. But rather than flamboyantly executing his power, Augustus used it tactfully and prudently. Augustus also received tribumnicia potestas. This allowed him to bring measures before the people and veto their measures.
Perhaps the most monumental changes were Augustus’ social reforms. He encouraged marriage and discouraged childlessness. Men under sixty and women under fifty were required to marry. Those who did not comply suffered legal penalties, such as not being permitted to attend public festivals and games.
In 18 B.C., “The Julian law of chastity and repressing adultery” was implemented. Appropriately, Augustus labeled adultery as a public crime and a private offense. It was deemed legal for a husband to prosecute his wife and her lover, even to banishment to an island or death. Unfortunately, a wife could not accuse her husband of adultery.
Painfully, Augustus’ own daughter, Julia, was blameworthy of scandalous behavior. In the law, if the adulteress’ husband presses no charges, the girl’s father should. Rome waited with bated breath to see Augustus’ course of action. Augustus, honoring the laws as having authority over both common folk and those in power, banished his daughter to a barren island. The Romans implored him to permit Julia’s return, but Augustus did not consent.
Augustus also influenced a religious reformation. Before then, Roman religious practices held little sway over private morality. Augustus strove to restore traditional virtues and piety towards their gods. He cited budding beliefs about how Roman piety led to Rome’s success. Ancient shrines were renewed, and new ones were built. Old ceremonies and festivals were revived. The people established the cult of Roma et Augustus (Rome and Augustus). Since it was about Rome as well, Augustus advocated it.
Augustus gave the persona that the people had their republic back and that the Senate possessed power. Yet, backstage, Augustus was the one pulling the strings. No civil war could develop since Augustus held all power, and the people felt contented in his Augustan Settlement.
Alena Coons 
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